Jan. 25, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next. — Ursula LeGuin

The world around us changes constantly. Trees turn from green to beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and brown in the fall. Yet, even if we watched the trees carefully, every minute of the day, we could not actually see the colors change. Change requires time, preparation, and patience.

To make the changes we want, we need to let go of unhealthy but comfortable patterns that we’re stuck in, the way the trees let their colors change and finally let go of their leaves altogether. We can’t have total change right now, no matter how much we want it. It’s important to accept both who we are now and who we are becoming. Just as the tree trusts without question that its leaves will grow and lets go of them when the time comes, we can believe in our own power to grow and let go of our accomplishments when the time is right.

When we do, we can be assured that our lives will blossom again, like trees in the spring coming to life after a cold winter. 

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020

Today: "Courage to change the things I can," the request of the Serenity Prayer that WE - not our Higher Power - take on those things that we CAN change. Though our options might be limited, the one thing we CAN change, even control, is our attitude and how we integrate into this day, how we react and respond. Thus, today I will not take the easier, softer way and complain about ANYTHING the day serves up and, instead, I will start with the POSITIVE by willing myself to make this day good and that nothing will poison the rest of the day. If there is something I do not want to do, I will do it, if for no other reason than to be done with it and earn the luxury to say one more bad chore is done. For some, negativity and complaining are an excuse in disguise to get out of the obligation to sobriety. Today, I am positive, not negative, and this day WILL be good. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2020

Jan. 25, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020

AA Thought for the Day
We used to depend on drinking for a lot of things. We depended on drinking to help us enjoy things. It gave us a "kick." It broke down our shyness and helped us to have a "good time." We depended on drinking to help us when we felt low physically. If we had a toothache or just a hangover, we felt better after a few drinks. We depended on drinking to help us when we felt low mentally. If we'd had a tough day at work or if we'd had a fight with our husband or wife, or if things just seemed against us, we felt better under the influence of alcohol. For us alcoholics, it got so that we depended on drinking for almost everything.

Have I got over that dependence on drinking?

Meditation for the Day
I believe that complete surrender of my life to God is the foundation of serenity. God has prepared for us many mansions. I do not look upon that promise as referring only to the after-life. I do not look upon this life as something to be struggled through, in order to get the rewards of the next life. I believe that the Kingdom of God is within us and we can enjoy "eternal life" here and now.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may try to do God's will. I pray that such understanding, insight and vision shall be mine, as shall make my life eternal, here and now.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020

Reflection for the Day
Even with a growing understanding of The Program and its Twelve Steps, we sometimes might find it difficult to believe that our new way of life leads to personal freedom. Suppose, for example, I feel imprisoned in an uncomfortable job or troublesome personal relationship. What am I doing about it? In the past, my reflex reaction was to try to manipulate the things and people around me into being more acceptable to me. Today, I realize that happiness can't be won that way.

Am I learning that freedom from despair and frustration can come only from changing, in myself, the attitudes that are perpetuating the conditions that cause me grief?

Today I Pray
May I be given clear eyes to see - and then to stop myself - when I am manipulating the lives of those around me, my daily associates, friends, family. May I always be aware that change must begin within myself.

Today I Will Remember
Change from the inside out.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020

AA has had its remarkable growth not because of its affluence, but because of its influence.

The eyes of the world are upon us for we stand out as the lone hope of a world driven to despair by alcohol.

Our every action is watched by those needing our program desperately. What will your influence be on them? Will you be a stepping stone or a stumbling block?

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 25, 2020 - Good morning and let's get hoppin' on a stress- and worry-free Saturday and weekend

Jan. 24, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Friday, Jan. 24, 2020

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

All of my life I been like a doubled up fist …poundin’, smashin’, driving — now I’m going to loosen these doubled up hands and touch things easy with them. — Tennessee Williams

Every man has many sides. Some sides are highly developed and other sides aren’t at all. We need not fear turning to a new side and exploring it. This recovery program has enabled us to pursue sides of ourselves that were closed before. When we were lost in our narrow world of codependency and addiction, we had fewer options. Now we have far greater access to our strength and our self-esteem, and we find new parts of ourselves.

Many of us have found relationships, which were never possible before, job choices we would never have had, and the pleasure of greater involvement in life. It is reassuring to see that we don’t always have to give up one side of ourselves to add new ones.

Thanks to God for the many options opening up to me in this renewed life.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step
Friday, Jan. 24, 2020

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." - Step 12

Today, Step 12, the "graduation" Step that bestows marching orders and ushers us into the world and puts AA into service by taking the message to other alcoholics. But to be "qualified" as a 12th-Stepper, we have to see that this Step is actually one in three. We are required in it, first, to have had a spiritual awakening; second, to 'carry the message' and third, to practice in all our affairs the Principles laid out in all the Steps. And without achieving all three, our effectiveness as a carrier of the message is likely to be compromised. After all, how can we talk about a spiritual awakening if we have not had one, and how can we ask someone to practice AA's Principles if we don't do so ourselves? Today, I ask myself if I have experienced the spiritual awakening that is fundamental to recovery, if I actually practice AA's Principles in all I do, and if I try to carry the message when asked. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2020

Jan. 24, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Friday, Jan. 24, 2020

AA Thought for the Day
Alcoholics who are living in a blind alley refuse to be really honest with themselves or with other people. They're running away from life and won't face things as they are. They won't give up their resentments. They're too sensitive and too easily hurt. They refuse to try to be unselfish. They still want everything for themselves. And no matter how many disastrous experiences they have had with drinking, they still do it over and over again. There's only one way to get out of that blind alley way of living, and that's to change your thinking.

Have I changed my thinking?

Meditation for the Day
I know that the vision and power which I receive from God are limitless, as far as spiritual things are concerned. But in temporal and material things, I must submit to limitations. I know that I cannot see the road ahead. I must go just one step at a time, because God does not grant me a longer view. I am in uncharted waters, limited by my temporal and spatial life, but unlimited in my spiritual life.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that, in spite of my material limitations, I may follow God's way. I pray that I may learn that trying to do His will is perfect freedom.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: A Day at a Time

A Day at a Time
Friday, Jan. 24, 2020

Reflection for the Day
Among the many gifts that we are offered in The Program is the gift of freedom. Paradoxically, however, the gift of freedom is not without a price tag; freedom can only be achieved by paying the price called acceptance. Similarly, if we can surrender to God's guidance, it will cost us our self-will, that "commodity" so precious to those of us who have always thought we could and should run the show.

Is my freedom today worth the price tag of acceptance?

Today I Pray
May God teach me acceptance - the ability to accept the things I cannot change. God also grant me courage to change those things I can. God help me to accept the illness of my addiction and give me the courage to change my addictive behavior.

Today I Will Remember
Accept the addiction.
Change the behavior.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: The Eye Opener

The Eye Opener
Friday, Jan. 24, 2020

The AA Program is so simple and so honest that it confounds the physician with his Latin prescriptions and the scientist with his intricate formulas. They have been looking for the answer through a microscope or a telescope while the solution was at their fingertips. No wonder AA astounds them - they have been like the old woman who tore her house down looking for her glasses, only to find them on her forehead.

The simplicity of our program is its attraction, and we must keep it awfully simple or the results will be simply awful.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 24, 2020 - Good morning and flex those toes for the toe-tappin' Happy Dance Friday

Jan. 23, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

AA Thought for the Day

When we came into AA, the first thing we did was to admit that we couldn’t do anything about our drinking. We admitted that alcohol had us licked and that we were helpless against it. We never could decide whether or not to take a drink. We always took the drink. And since we couldn’t do anything about it ourselves, we put our whole drink problem into the hands of God. We turned the whole thing over to that Power greater than ourselves. And we have nothing more to do about it, except to trust God to take care of the problem for us.

Have I done this honestly and fully?

Meditation for the Day

This is the time for my spirit to touch the spirit of God. I know that the feeling of the spirit touch is more important than all the sensations of material things. I must seek a silence of spirit touching with God. Just a moment’s contact and all the fever of life leaves me. Then I am well, whole, calm, and able to rise and minister to others. God’s touch is a potent healer. I must feel that touch and sense God’s presence.

Prayer for the Day

I pray that the fever of resentment, worry, and fear may melt into nothingness. I pray that health, joy, peace, and serenity may take its place.

Hazelden Foundation

Jan. 23, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Step by Step
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

"Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out." - Step 11

Today, the 11th Step, multidimensional in that it is among the three most tasking in the Program. The cornerstone of Step 11 is improving our conscious contact with our Higher Power "through prayer and meditation" and seeking HIS will for our lives, not OURS. We are subtly reminded in the 11th of an ever-constant theme throughout recovery - prayer and meditation. Without one, either or both, our self-will might have an opening to run riot. And our self-will has failed miserably - many times - for most of us. And in putting forth the humility and courage to surrender our will to Him, the "power" to carry out His will for us becomes, surprisingly, stronger. Today, I will focus on prayer and meditation to understand that His will, not mine, is what I need in both my recovery and my life. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2020

Jan. 23, 2020 - Readings in Recovery: Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Twenty-Four Hours a Day
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

AA Thought for the Day
Alcoholics are people whose drinking got them into a "blind alley." They haven't been able to learn anything from their drinking experiences. They are always making the same mistakes and suffering the same consequences over and over again. They refuse to admit they're alcoholic. They still think they can handle the stuff. They won't swallow their pride and admit that they're different from ordinary drinkers. They won't face the fact that they must spend the rest of their lives without liquor. They can't visualize life without ever taking a drink.

Am I out of this blind alley?

Meditation for the Day
I believe that God has all power. It is His to give and His to withhold. But He will not withhold it from the person who dwells near Him because then it passes insensibly from God to that person. It is breathed in by the person who lives in God's presence. I will learn to live in God's presence and then I will have those things which I desire of Him: strength, power, and joy. God's power is available to all who need it and are willing to accept it.

Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may get myself out of the way so that God's power may flow in. I pray that I may surrender myself to that power.

Hazelden Foundation